Naptime Blog

It’s official. Kiddo’s magical childhood is over. No more Santa Claus since last year and now, no more tooth fairy. I’ve been able to get away with being the tooth fairy without being fingered.

There was one time when I forgot to take the tooth and put the money under his pillow. He was around 5 and began to cry when he saw that the tooth was still there. I was so tired the night before that I snoozed the alarm clock until it was time to get him up for school. Bad tooth fairy! In what I believe to be one of my most brilliant mommy moments ever, I sent kiddo to the bathroom to get ready and had an argument with myself. I went into his room closing the door behind me and started an argument with the “Tooth Fairy.” She ended up (with a European accent – not really sure what country) explaining how she was tired from traveling all around the world collecting teeth and leaving money. She said that she was so tired, she fell asleep before taking kiddo’s tooth and leaving the money. After having a “multiple personality moment”, I slipped two dollars under kiddo’s pillow before opening the door.

Fortunately, kiddo was still in the bathroom brushing his teeth when I told him to check under his pillow again. He found his two dollars and then asked me what happened. I told him that I had a conversation with the Tooth Fairy (hey, it is true even if I’m the tooth fairy!) and told him how she was tired and fell asleep. He was very happy with that. Until now.

The same thing happened, except kiddo’s almost 11. He lost one of his molars (with all those missing teeth he looks like he’ll need dentures) the night before. I snoozed away until it was almost time to get kiddo up. I had three dollars ready to sneak under the pillow and tip toed to the door. And what do I find when I get there – kiddo wide awake! Argh! My cover was blown and kiddo knew right away who the Tooth Fairy has been all this time. But, I think he appreciates that I tried for so long to keep the magic alive for him. It’s a bittersweet moment for me because of two things: 1) I don’t have to pretend to be the “Tooth Fairy” anymore and 2) kiddo’s growing up. But, it’s nice to have these memories to look back on to laugh and share with him.